BREAKING: At Last, NUPENG Suspends Nationwide Strike [DETAILS]
The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers has suspended its nationwide strike after reaching an agreement with Dangote Refinery, averting a looming disruption of fuel supply across Nigeria.
The resolution was reached on Tuesday at a reconvened meeting in Abuja, following days of tense negotiations that had earlier ended without progress.
NUPENG had embarked on the industrial action on Monday to protest what it described as anti-union practices by the Dangote Group, particularly the company’s policy on unionisation of its workers.
The strike had already caused panic buying and fuel loading disruptions at several depots nationwide.
NUPENG President, Williams Akporeha, had earlier described the action as a stand against “anti-worker and anti-union practices” and an attempt by the Dangote Group to “enslave” workers.
The Dangote Group, however, insisted throughout the negotiations that the strike would not trigger fuel scarcity.
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According to a source at the meeting, the breakthrough came after intense dialogue and intervention by government officials and key stakeholders.
NUPENG has since directed its members to resume work immediately, restoring normalcy to fuel distribution.
The decision brings an end to a high-stakes conflict that has the support of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria and threatened to destabilise the economy.
On September 5, NUPENG said workers would begin downing tools and sourcing alternative employment from Monday.
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria also declared plans to suspend the lifting and dispensing of petroleum products for three days, starting September 9, in solidarity with NUPENG.
